Volume II: Filmography

THE SPIRIT OF '61

May 4, 1916 (Thursday)

Length: 3 reels

Character: Drama; Than-O-Play

Director: Fred Kelsey

Scenario: Emmet Mixx

Cast: J.H. Gilmour (grocer), Grace DeCarlton (his granddaughter), George Marlo (mail carrier), Samuel Niblack (gang leader), Charles Turner (mine owner)

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, April 29, 1916:

"Grace DeCarlton, who sprang into fame overnight by her work in the Thanhouser-Mutual Masterpicture, DeLuxe, Betrayed, and whose acting in the subsequent release, The Traffic Cop, earned her a position in the front ranks of the younger generation of screen actresses, has the stellar role in the forthcoming Thanhouser-Mutual three-act drama, The Spirit of '61. The picture was produced by Fred Kelsey, and the supporting cast, consisting of J.H. Gilmour, George Marlo, Samuel Niblack, and Charles Turner, is an extremely competent one.

"Rhyolite, the story reveals, was a mining camp with the usual run of desperadoes and ruffians, and it was a moot question whether another town in the district had as bad a reputation. But among all the rough characters there dwelt the peaceful grocer, (J.H. Gilmour) who lived with his granddaughter (Grace DeCarlton). A less warlike appearing man had never been seen in the village, but it is as impossible to judge the mettle of a man from his looks as it is to tell the contents of a case from its cover. In his youth the old grocer had fought for his country, and in his declining years he was destined to fight for his town. The men of the Rhyolite Mine had struck - not for more wages, but as a protest against the ill treatment accorded them by a harsh superintendent. They had peacefully abandoned their work, but, learning that their places were to be filled by strike-breakers from a neighboring camp, reluctantly accepted the engagement of a bitter battle. The old grocer tried pacific words, which went unheeded, and then, emerging from his self-imposed retirement of years, he sent a messenger to the owner of the mine - a man with whom he had fought side by side - and advised him to keep the strike-breakers away, and to come himself, in order to save the situation.

"As is usual in labor troubles, the lawless element attempted to stir up trouble, and entirely independent of the strikers, they planned to set the town in confusion and then terrorize the inhabitants into buying them off. The ruffians seized a car of high-powered explosives belonging to the mine, and they designed to allow this agent of destruction to run wild down the grade, connecting with the main line, and so wreck the train bearing the strike-breakers as it arrived at the station. The plans were well laid had it not been for the accidental appearance of the mail carrier (George Marlo), who was in love with the old grocer's granddaughter. The gang disposed of the mail carrier, but they overlooked his horse, and the riderless animal attracted the attention of the old man, and surmising that there was something in the wind, he started a private investigation. Without this slip the plans would undoubtedly have succeeded, but this small clue set the grocer on the right track.

"The train was due any minute when the old man determined to go to the station alone. He arrayed himself in the coat of his beloved uniform - a sentimental thing, but permissible in an old fellow when he feels that he is going to certain death. He took his only weapon - an old fashioned pistol - from his war chest, and went forth to do what little he could for the cause of law and order. The grocer discovered the injured mail carrier and learned the details of the plot. Horrified, he rushed to the siding where the dynamite car was lying. While the grocer detained the gang from its purpose the train pulled into the station unharmed. Only one man disembarked - the owner of the mine. The old grocer came running up to the group, panting from his exertion. The big capitalist, with many interests, advanced, and respectfully saluted the small town grocer. The miners were open-mouthed with amazement, but their astonishment was allayed when it was explained that the peaceful grocer had saved the day, that their old 'super' was to be their superintendent no longer, and that in his stead would be the grocer of Rhyolite."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, May 13, 1916:

"A three-reel number by Emmet Mixx, featuring J.H. Gilmour, Grace DeCarlton, and George Marlo. Mr. Gilmour plays the part of a war veteran who has become a grocer in a mining town. The superintendent of the mine is an arrogant fellow and a labor war is threatened. The old grocer makes a personal appeal to the mine owner, in Denver, whose life he had saved on the battlefield. The owner comes and settles the strike. A large cast is employed, and there is a love story between the grocer's granddaughter and the young mail carrier. The plan to release the car of dynamite adds some suspense to the production, which is quite strong in interest."

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